Inspiration for Harry Potter nemesis Umbridge revealed on website

October 31, 2014 12:00 PM

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LONDON (Reuters) - As a Halloween treat for her fans, J.K. Rowling has revealed that the much-hated character Dolores Umbridge from her "Harry Potter" stories is based on a teacher to whom she took an instant dislike - but whose name she has not disclosed.

Umbridge, played by actress Imelda Staunton in the film adaptations of the hugely popular fantasy series, is the seemingly sweet but innately vicious teacher at Hogwarts who bans young Harry from playing Quidditch and forces him to write the words "I must not tell lies" on the back of his hand.